Pistons agree to deals with Augustin, Butler

Chicago Bulls guard D.J. Augustin (14) shoots in the first half of Game 3 of an opening-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Washington Wizards, Friday, April 25, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

AUBURN HILLS >> The Pistons added more depth Sunday night, agreeing to deals with point guard D.J. Augustin and veteran small forward Caron Butler according to multiple reports.

Yahoo! Sports first reported the Augustin deal. ESPN first reported the Butler deal.

Augustin’s deal is reportedly for two years, $6 million.

Advertisement

Augustin played 61 games for the Bulls last season after being waived by the Raptors on Dec. 9. Augustin averaged 14.9 points and 5.0 assists for the Bulls.

He shot 41.9 percent from the field and hit 41.1 percent of his 3-pointers. Augustin has career averages of 10.1 points and 4.0 assists in his six-year NBA career. He was the 10th overall pick by Charlotte in 2008.

Detroit now has five point guards with Augustin, Brandon Jennings, Will Bynum, this year’s second-round pick Spencer Dinwiddie and last year’s second-round pick Peyton Siva.

Siva could be waived. The Pistons have until July 20 to decide if they want to waive Siva or guarantee his deal for the rest of the season.

Dinwiddie is currently recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in January and there is no timetable for when he will be able to return.

Butler, 34, played 22 games for the Thunder after signing with them on March 1. Butler averaged 9.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 27 minutes per game.

Bringing in Butler could signal the end of Josh Harrellson’s tenure with the Pistons. The Pistons must decide whether to waive Harrellson or guarantee his deal by July 20.

Detroit went into the offseason with nine guys with guaranteed deals for next season. The Pistons have agreed to deals with Jodie Meeks, Aaron Gray, Cartier Martin, Augustin and Butler giving them 14 guys.

Greg Monroe is currently a restricted free agent but if he is retained that would give the Pistons the league maximum 15 guys. Dinwiddie could be the Pistons’ 16th guy if he’s able to suit up.

Detroit could also make a trade prior to the July 20 deadline and decide to keep Siva or Harrellson.

If Monroe signs an offer sheet with another team then Detroit has three days to match or let Monroe walk.

About the Author

Dave Pemberton has covered the Detroit Pistons for The Oakland Press since 2008. Prior to that he covered the Oakland University basketball team. Reach the author at dave.pemberton@oakpress.com
or follow Dave on Twitter: @drpemberton.